Yes, it is sad when that happens.
But it is ok, because its part of life. And what the true nature of the world is in this life is anybody's guess. I mean, no one really knows what's absolutely true. We just go on probabilities and experiences.
In the desert, though, knowing a mirage from reality is pretty darn important. You have to be very careful when you think you see water, and make your decisions deliberately. Sometimes it's helpful to ask a companion, "Hey, do you think that water over there is real?"
"No," says the companion, "We just came from there. Have a sip from the canteen. Our camp is over yonder. You think you can make it?"
"Yes."
But, you know, for that guy in the story, it's OK. He didn't die. Luckily he found what he needed, a group of people with whom he could share reality and receive nourishment. Maybe he'd stay with those people a while and learn their viewpoints, the way they lived. I am sure desert people have a lot to offer in terms of different viewpoints.
It would be interesting if you wanted to know how to live in the desert.
Personally, I don't think its crazy to go into the desert to find God. Sometimes the way people are wired, they need the whole experience like that. But I think the guy should have used his common sense and prepared better, rathen than going on blind faith.
I feel you can find spiritual worth just about anywhere. Seeing sharks swim in the Aquarium of the Americas did it recently for me. Another time, in Ireland, I had this beautiful dream of a fairie woman opening double-doors of brilliant golden-white light and awoke to find myself sitting up in my bed looking right at the risen sun. That was pretty freaky. I never sleepwalk or move in my sleep like that.
I love watching that World's Apart program on National Geographic. People live in other societies and sometimes take back another way of being in the world. It's pretty neat.
[This message has been edited by babayada (edited October 30, 2004).]
